There were some unpleasant things she simply chose not to see.
It wasn't that she couldn't see them—she just didn't want to. Regardless of where this village was headed, when the day came that she reunited with her husband in the afterlife, she wanted to be able to say:
"I was tired… but I truly did my best."
Even when the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out, she didn't lash out. She didn't seek revenge, nor did she launch any secret investigations. She had the power to act, but she chose instead to stay in Konoha, protecting it in silence.
She understood the truth.
But once you've seen enough truth—harsh and painful—you learn to let go.
Yet at this critical moment… the one thing she hadn't expected was for her grandson to stir up trouble.
With a tired sigh, Mito led Yukika back into the room.
"As a shinobi, the first thing you must learn… is endurance," she said quietly.
"I'd think the Ninja Academy would've taught you that by now."
Endurance?
Endure what, exactly?
Yukika rolled his eyes. He clearly wasn't buying into that piece of wisdom.
Not that he didn't understand the idea—he did.
He could endure.
But why should he?
Besides…
"If I endure, then the one who suffers is the Senju Clan," he said, his gaze burning as he stared directly at Uzumaki Mito. "Do you believe me when I say… if I hold back, the Senju will end up just like the Uzumaki? Or maybe even worse."
After all, when the very village you sacrificed everything to protect turns around and stabs you in the back… that kind of betrayal isn't something ordinary people can swallow.
"You think I'd believe that?" Mito's voice was still calm, unaffected.
"I'm not trying to guess what you believe," Yukika said. "I just hope you'll see it for yourself."
He stood, bowed deeply to her.
"You've dedicated your whole life to this village… to the Senju. For the former, my great-grandfather owes you a debt of gratitude. But the latter…"
"That part's my responsibility now."
He took a deep breath and patted his chest.
"I once dreamed of living a quiet life—marrying a few beautiful wives, having a bunch of kids, and slowly carrying on the Senju bloodline."
"But Grandma Mito… this fire in my heart…"
"It won't let me do that!"
Just like your great-grandfather… always full of words.
Mito fell silent for a moment.
To be honest, she suddenly felt like Yukika was the perfect mix of Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Still, Grandma Mito," Yukika continued, "I know you've been waiting to say something to me."
"But I hope we can talk properly after I pass the graduation exam—not like this."
Whatever she was going to say, it would probably be more talk about patience, about restraint. The usual.
But Yukika only had half a month left. He didn't want to waste time on empty lectures.
Whether or not he could pass the upcoming graduation exam… that was an unspoken agreement between him and Uzumaki Mito. They both understood that.
If he passed—it would be a jolt to her heart, a sign of hope.
As soon as he finished speaking, Yukika turned to leave.
But just as he was about to step out, a sudden gust of wind blew from behind.
Out of pure reflex, he reached back and caught something.
The moment it touched his hand, he froze.
A faint scent of old parchment and ink.
It was a book.
"This," Mito said behind him, "was something your grandfather asked me to give you once you were grown."
"As the next head of the clan, it's only right that you keep it."
"I'm tired. Go now."
Yukika opened the book, his head tilting downward as his eyes scanned the first page.
His pupils narrowed